Author: Yahoo Sports

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

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There’s a lot of hype swirling around rookie running backs post-draft, but if you’re trying to figure out who will be the fantasy breakout star after Ashton Jeanty, you need to keep a close eye on Kaleb Johnson. In the latest episode of Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, both Andy Behrens and Matt Harmon dove deep into why Johnson, who landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is set up for immediate fantasy success. Let’s break down exactly why Johnson should be at the top of your RB wishlist after Jeanty.

Kaleb Johnson is the perfect scheme fit for the Steelers

Both Behrens and Harmon absolutely love Johnson’s landing spot with Pittsburgh. The Steelers, under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, are a perfect fit stylistically for what Johnson brings to the table. As Andy put it, Johnson “needs, stylistically, needs scheme-wise, needs it to look a little bit like it did at Iowa,” and that’s exactly what he’s getting. The Steelers’ run game is built for a player like Johnson: they’re going to hammer inside- and outside-zone concepts, get vertical and grind out tough yards — just like Johnson did so effectively as a Hawkeye.

Post-draft depth charts see Johnson immediately slide into a vacancy. The Steelers let Najee Harris leave via free agency, and Jaylen Warren is best used as a change-of-pace back. As Harmon notes, “Kaleb Johnson just is touching the ball 15 to 18 times a game. He scores eight to nine touchdowns this year … I can easily make a case. Yeah, Kaleb Johnson is the [rookie] RB2 here."

The volume is going to be there. Pittsburgh’s offense, with weapons like George Pickens and DK Metcalf stretching the field — assuming Aaron Rodgers does eventually make his way to — should keep the box light enough for Johnson to find his lanes. 

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While Johnson isn’t a highlight-reel receiver out of the backfield, that’s not what Pittsburgh needs. They want a tough, decisive, early-down grinder who excels between the tackles. With over 1,000 rushing yards and 10-plus touchdowns firmly “on the table,” as Andy puts it, you’re looking at a player who could be a foundation piece for your fantasy team.

Pittsburgh’s offensive line, improved in recent seasons, is built to open up running lanes. “There’s a lot [here] to stress a defense. Kaleb’s going to eat,” says Behrens. That means easier sledding for Johnson and more efficient touches.

Both Andy and Matt are ready to slot Johnson right around overall RB20-21 and are willing to be personally bullish in drafts. You don't always get this kind of consensus after the draft, but Johnson landing in Pittsburgh is the rare intersection of talent, landing spot, volume and system fit — everything you want when making early bets on rookie running backs.

Don’t overthink it: after Ashton Jeanty, make Johnson your next rookie RB priority in fantasy drafts. You’ll thank yourself by midseason.

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

Here are the best player-team fits from this draft class, as discussed by the "Football 301" crew — Yahoo Sports' Nate Tice, Matt Harmon and Charles McDonald — in the latest podcast episode. 

RB Kaleb Johnson (Iowa), Pittsburgh Steelers

This was Harmon’s top “player-team fit” pick of the weekend. Johnson lands in an offense tailor-made for his running style. He’s a natural zone runner and the Steelers ran zone concepts at the second highest rate in the league. Harmon sees Johnson as a perfect fit for the Steelers' offensive philosophy and said he “could be the second-most productive rookie this year, behind Ashton Jeanty.” 

McDonald compared Johnson’s running style to Arian Foster, citing his glide and vision.

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CB Darien Porter (Iowa State), Las Vegas Raiders

McDonald highlighted this as his favorite “process pick,” lauding the fact that Porter — an extremely athletic, big, long corner — lands with Pete Carroll, one of football’s best cornerback teachers. It’s a fit made for developing Porter’s raw traits, especially in a defensive scheme that has a strong track record with this cornerback archetype.

Edge Mykel Williams (Georgia), San Francisco 49ers

Tice loved this pairing, calling it “exactly where he should go” and “what they needed.” 

The 49ers needed more punch up front, and Williams’ combination of upside and NFL-ready skills make him a plug-and-play fit alongside Nick Bosa and a defensive line that needs an injection of youth and athleticism.

OT Armand Membou (Missouri), New York Jets

Tice singled out this selection for the Jets, noting the great pairing of Membou at right tackle with Olu Fashanu at left tackle. The Jets wanted a true right tackle, and Membou is exactly that. Tice said the fit is “a lot of fun,” especially given how the Jets’ offensive line is shaping up for the run game and with Justin Fields at QB.

There were other fits discussed (like Ashton Jeanty with the Raiders and others), but these four got special recognition as “ideal matches”— the kind of selections where the player's skills and the team’s needs/philosophy lined up perfectly.

To hear more NFL discussions, tune into "Football 301" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft brought a ripple of surprise — and excitement — when the Green Bay Packers finally broke their age-old first-round WR drought by selecting Matthew Golden. But among fantasy football obsessives, the buzz didn’t stop with the pick. In the latest crossover episode of the Yahoo Fantasy Forecast and Football 301, Matt Harmon, Nate Tice and Charles McDonald broke down exactly why Golden could be the game-changer both the Packers and your fantasy roster need.

Green Bay finally breaks out of character — for good reason

For two decades, the Packers have famously resisted taking receivers in Round 1, and they tend to prioritize big-bodied, outside targets. Golden bucks both trends: he’s a bit lighter than their historic athletic thresholds, and he brings a different flavor to the table than their current WR corps. As Nate Tice put it, this was surprising given Green Bay’s “usual weight thresholds,” but the move immediately made sense once you examined the room around Golden: “The positive is, the rest of the room is so big and can handle all these things. You can drop in a quote-unquote, maybe slightly undersized guy in there.”

The Packers have their big, physical outside presences — think Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson (when healthy) — and Jaden Reed thriving in the slot. This means Golden can be used as a chess piece, opening up combinations Green Bay hasn’t had in years.

Matt Harmon is as bullish as anyone on Golden’s outlook, and he zeroed in on two critical factors for fantasy success:

1) Role and Routes: Golden’s two best routes by frequency and success rate, per Harmon’s Reception Perception, are posts and digs — in other words, big in-breakers. This fits Green Bay’s offense (especially with Jordan Love) to a tee. Harmon stated: “This offense, especially with Jordan Love under center, they want to … drop, use play action or drop back and rip big in-breakers ... Matthew Golden, his route running and separation is best expressed at the breakpoint of those routes in particular.”

2) Defense Dictation: One myth Harmon wanted to bust: the Packers don’t “need a No. 1” so much as they need someone who forces defenses to pay attention and stretch the field. Golden’s speed and route nuance do that — whether he’s flying by safeties or opening the middle for Reed and Doubs. Harmon stated: “Without Christian Watson … you don't have anybody that really stretches out the defense … Golden's going to allow you to do that.”

The Packers are a run-heavy team, yes, but that’s not the whole story. With their spread of talent, defenses can’t double everyone. Harmon notes that Golden can thrive even if he’s not the “WR1” by label. Golden’s skills translate into open targets, and Harmon believes his “toughness at the catch point” has been underrated. With Reed (in the slot), Doubs (as the physical X) and a healthy tight end group, Golden’s Z-receiver skill set will put him in single coverage — a formula for rookie WR breakouts.

Going back to Christian Watson, his constant injuries mean Golden could immediately inherit deep and intermediate work — something previous Packer receivers have turned into fantasy gold. “You're basically replacing Watson. It just comes in a different package," Harmon said.

Every draft class brings “surprise” first-round receivers. But when you zoom in on Matthew Golden’s landing spot, you see the pieces falling into place for a fantasy-relevant rookie campaign:

• Perfect scheme fit for his strengths (big posts and digs).

• Opportunity for targets in a well-constructed, but not top-heavy, WR corps.

• Ability to stretch the field and command defensive attention in ways that unlock the whole Packers offense.

If you’re chasing rookie WR upside in fantasy — and want a player whose skills align perfectly with what his team needs — Matthew Golden is the name to circle. The Packers and your fantasy lineup could both be long overdue for a breakout.

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

Here’s a recap of the favorite and least favorite Round 1 picks of the 2025 NFL Draft from the latest "Yahoo Fantasy Forecast / Football 301" podcast, based on what Charles McDonald, Nate Tice and Matt Harmon discussed:

Favorite picks of Round 1

McDonald:Mason Graham, DT, Cleveland Browns  

Loved how the Browns traded down, acquired extra draft capital from Jacksonville, and addressed a genuine roster need. There's a lot to like about the fit alongside Myles Garrett and Graham could bring significant pass rush ability.

Harmon:Armand Membou, OT, New York Jets

There's reason to be high on Membou’s aggressive play and tone-setting style. He can be a finishing piece for a Jets offensive line that’s been in rebuilding mode. There's potential for Membou and Olu Fashanu to be dynamic, young bookends and keys to a run-first Jets identity.

Tice:Mykel Williams, EDGE, San Francisco 49ers 

The pairing of Williams with Nick Bosa was perfect — Bosa as the finesse rusher, Williams bringing power and run defense. It's an ideal selection for the Niners’ defensive needs and style.

James Gilbert via Getty Images

Least favorite picks of Round 1

Tice: Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants

None of the QBs in this draft class other than Cam Ward were first-round material. The Giants are in “win now or develop” limbo — stuck with veterans and now asking Dart to step into a questionable situation behind a shaky line.

McDonald:Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers  

Hampton is a fine player, but there's reason to question the value here for the Chargers, who still have glaring needs, especially on the interior offensive line. The Chargers aren’t good enough to justify using a premium pick on a running back and the move doesn’t make their offense materially better.

Harmon: Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts 

A first-round TE is a luxury pick for a team that has needs elsewhere and a questionable QB situation. Warren isn’t an urgent upgrade given the Colts’ receivers weren’t being maximized anyway, and his skills overlap with what the Colts already have on the roster.

To hear more NFL discussions, tune into "Football 301" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

The NFL Draft is always full of twists, debates, and speculation — especially when it comes to backfields that seem crowded on paper. The Los Angeles Chargers, after snagging Omarion Hampton in the first round, now sport an intriguing running back combo with free-agent signing, Najee Harris. Still, after listening to the latest Yahoo Fantasy Forecast/Football 301 with Nate Tice, Matt Harmon and Charles McDonald, it’s clear: Hampton should seize the lead-back role sooner rather than later.

Let's dive into why.

Hampton fits what Chargers want to do while providing an upgrade in all facets of run game

Charles McDonald put it plainly: “I love the player and in theory, I love the fit with that style of offense, you know, power run game. We're not trying to hide who we are. We're going to give our running back a million carries.” Hampton’s bruising, no-nonsense running style is the exact profile Greg Roman’s run-first offense needs. Where Harris has carved out a niche as a volume plodder, Hampton’s explosiveness and finishing ability add much-needed spark.

The consensus among the crew was that the Chargers’ offensive line — especially the interior — remains questionable. This means they’ll need a back who can create on his own, break tackles and not just rely on perfectly-blocked runs. Hampton’s college tape is full of examples where he churns out yards after contact, something this offense desperately needs: “Even in the Super Bowl ... consistency down and down is not there,” McDonald noted about offensive-line play. “But you know, when you got Saquon Barkley, all you need is to move someone just a little bit. If you have a big block on a Saquon Barkley touchdown run, everyone goes, 'Mekhi Becton great game, great game, great game.'”

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With average run blocking, Hampton’s burst and tackle-breaking make him the better fit to squeeze out value from those tough runs.

Harmon offered a realistic take: “[Najee] Harris is going to get the veteran deference probably in September and, like, he's going to lead the team in carries. But by December, like, Hampton is going to be the guy you want.”  

That progression is familiar: veterans get chances early, but talent usually rises to the top. Harris may hold off Hampton for a bit, but when you look at the combination of vision, burst and power that Hampton brings, you can see a backfield takeover coming. He’s simply too dynamic to sit.

Harmon further noted that the bones of Roman’s running scheme were visible last year despite the talent gap at running back: “I actually just think the backs were a bigger issue than people wanted to make.”  

The implication is clear — swap in a true difference-maker like Hampton, and suddenly, the entire offense could look more cohesive and threatening. Explosive runs, broken tackles and home-run plays become part of the weekly script.

Despite Harris’ pedigree and steadiness, the overwhelming sentiment is that the lead-back torch should (and will) pass to Hampton. It’s not just about who you draft in the first round or who stands atop the depth chart in August, but who gives your team game-changing value, especially behind a shaky o-line in a run-first system.

“By December, Hampton is going to be the guy you want,” Harmon doubled down. And if the Chargers want to maximize their offense — and fantasy managers want a late-season league winner — they’d be wise to get ahead of the curve and ride Omarion Hampton.

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

Every NFL Draft season, fantasy managers hope to spot the perfect rookie/team matchup — the landing spot that unlocks not only a prospect’s talent but also explosive fantasy potential. On the latest Yahoo Fantasy Forecast's special wishcasting episode, Matt Harmon and Andy Behrens brought up one match that should make the fantasy world perk up: Miami's Damien Martinez to the Dallas Cowboys.

Let’s break down why this partnership is such a compelling fit, drawing directly from the sharp analysis of their conversation.

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Harmon was the first to call it, sending Martinez to the Cowboys and emphasizing that he’s exactly the type of back Dallas needs: “He is a really interesting running back prospect … big dude, can bang it between the tackles, but also I think has some big-play ability.” 

Now more than ever, Dallas is desperate for competence — if not excellence — at running back. Their current depth chart, as Matt remarked, is clouded with uncertainty and uninspiring committee bets. Martinez’s ability to step in as a bell-cow right away could fill a void left since Tony Pollard’s departure.

Behrens echoed the sentiment, lauding Martinez’s profile: “He has been successful and efficient in multiple systems in college. He can just detonate tacklers at the end of a run … has so many plays on tape where he just disappears from view for a little while … because he’s dragging a cloud of defenders for the final like seven or eight yards of a play.”

The beauty of the fit, both Andy and Matt argue, goes beyond just landing on a team with running back touches available. Dallas is built to pound the rock: its offensive line remains one of the NFL’s better units, especially if young pieces like Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe develop, and Tyler Smith is already a force inside.

Martinez offers the ability to not only run effectively behind this line but also flex between power and splash plays. Put simply: Martinez wouldn’t just be a Band-Aid. He could emerge as the engine for Dallas’ ground game — an immediate volume play with double-digit touchdown upside.

Harmon and Behrens both agreed Martinez would be a hot commodity in fantasy football drafts if this pairing comes true. And for three good reasons:

• Volume: Dallas loves a true lead running back. With limited backfield competition and a good O-line, Martinez could easily see 15-20 touches a week.

• Goal-line upside: His finishing ability at the end of runs and Dallas’ willingness to feed one back at the stripe means TDs are on the table.

• Role security: Neither expert is impressed with the current Cowboys RBs — Martinez could take the ball and run from Week 1.

If Jerry Jones and co. decide Martinez is “their guy,” he’d fly up rookie fantasy draft boards. The Cowboys have a national spotlight, a history of feeding their RB1 and an offense that reliably produces RB1 finishes for fantasy.

Martinez in Big D would be an immediate **RB2 with RB1 upside** in redraft, and a top 5-7 rookie in dynasty formats.

Andy and Matt see Martinez as the hammer Dallas needs to keep its offense moving. It's a high-floor, high-ceiling union. If the Cowboys call his name, get ready to bump him way up your fantasy football cheat sheets — he’d be poised to deliver from Day 1.

Dallas fans, fantasy managers, be on the lookout during the draft. This is the sleeper landing spot that could change your championship plans.

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

With the NFL Draft looming, fantasy football managers are scouring for the next rookie running back who could become a fantasy league winner. If you caught the recent episode of Yahoo Fantasy Forecast featuring Matt Harmon and Andy Behrens, you know this year’s class doesn’t offer the depth of past seasons, but it does have a clear-cut RB1 prospect: Boise State's Ashton Jeanty.

The show’s fantasy experts explored why, should Jeanty land with Sean Payton’s Denver Broncos, he’d immediately warrant consideration as a first-round selection in 2025 fantasy drafts. Here’s why their reasoning makes so much sense.

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In the conversation, both Matt and Andy agree Jeanty is the “prize of this year's running back class,” using phrases like “he just checks every box” and “one of the blue chips in this class.” Unlike previous years when fantasy managers could find value in the second or third tier of rookie backs, 2025’s class lacks that depth: “There’s not that many blue chips.” This scarcity means wherever Jeanty goes, he’ll be carrying massive fantasy expectations — especially if he joins a team that already looks like a great landing spot.

Denver’s running game is a sleeping giant. As Matt points out, “Their running backs were god-awful in terms of creating yards for themselves. Ashton Jeanty is a tackle-breaker. He would be the central figure of this offense. I mean, it's just a beautiful fit.” Last year, the Broncos scheme was generating open lanes, but no one in the backfield could capitalize.

Both analysts salivate at the thought of Jeanty joining Sean Payton, a coach historically unafraid to leverage a feature back, especially one with Jeanty’s tackle-breaking ability and three-down skill set. Matt says, “Ashton Jeanty, the Denver Broncos. Sean Payton, that man hates extra picks even more than Ryan Poles does. Get up the draft board ... it would have a high approval rating. Let's get Ashton Jeanty to this Denver Broncos offense.”

Andy doesn’t hide his enthusiasm for Jeanty in Denver either: “It’s a great fit. Denver is surely going to come away from this draft with one of the, one of its more exciting running backs. We just don't know exactly who it's going to be.” But, as both agree, if it’s Jeanty, fantasy managers may finally get what they’ve been hoping for: a Denver backfield centerpiece worthy of a first-round fantasy pick.

Nervous about other backs eating into his workload? Andy notes, “You could do that with Ashton Jeanty, and I think we're going to talk ourselves into it. And I think if he lands here, if he lands Chicago, there's a handful of places where he can go where I think Ashton Jeanty is going to be like, seriously in the conversation as like a, I don't know, ninth overall pick, 10th overall pick in fantasy.”

The top of the fantasy running back board is crowded with established stars (Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson, Jameer Gibbs, Derrick Henry, etc.), but neither Matt nor Andy hesitated to put Jeanty into the mix: “Like, yeah, that's, that's the conversation we're having with Ashton Jeanty if he's a, if he's a Bear or a Bronco. Bronco. I'm ready to have that conversation.”

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Translation: if Jeanty lands in Denver, you’re looking at a three-down rookie with a clear run to 250+ touches and goal-line work in a system proven to generate productive backs out of far lesser talents.

Both Matt Harmon and Andy Behrens left no doubt — if Ashton Jeanty becomes a Denver Bronco on draft night, he’s a lock for Round 1 fantasy football value. The combo of talent, vacant depth chart, coaching philosophy and opportunity is too strong to pass up. As Matt summarized, “He would be the central figure of this offense ... we should all want it to happen.”

If you’re holding a late first in your 2025 fantasy draft, and Jeanty’s wearing orange and blue (again), press the button. You might just secure the next great fantasy running back star.